There appears to be varying skull morphology in this species depending on the age and particular individual animal, which is not uncommon in other modern crocodilians, and by gender, with adult males typically having much more massive skulls relative to their size than like-age females. Black caimans are relatively more robust than other crocodilians of comparable length. Although the snout is relatively narrow, the skull (given the species' considerably larger size) is much larger overall than other caimans. Compared to other caimans, it has distinctly larger eyes. The black caiman is structurally dissimilar to other caiman species, particularly in the shape of the skull. Mothers on guard near their nests are tormented by blood-sucking flies that gather around their vulnerable eyes, leaving them bloodshot. The eyes are large, as befits its largely nocturnal activity, and brown in colour. The bony ridge extending from above the eyes down the snout, as seen in other caiman, is present. This banding fades only gradually as the animal matures. The lower jaw has grey banding (brown in older animals), and pale yellow or white bands are present across the flanks of the body, although these are much more prominent in juveniles.
#CAMOUFLAGE CROCS SKIN#
The skin coloration helps with camouflage during its nocturnal hunts, but may also help absorb heat (see thermoregulation). The black caiman has dark-coloured, scaly skin. Įpidermal body armour and skeleton of a young black caiman It is a dangerous species to humans, and attacks have occurred in the past. Overall a little-known species, it was not researched in any detail until the 1980s, when the leather-trade had already taken its toll. It is now making a comeback, listed as Conservation Dependent. Once common, it was hunted to near extinction primarily for its commercially valuable hide. These pods may contain individuals from other nests. Hatchlings form groups called pods, guarded by the presence of the female. Females build a nest mound with an egg chamber, protecting the eggs from predators. Reproduction takes place in the dry season. As the largest predator in the ecosystem, it may also be a keystone species, playing an important role of maintaining the structure of the ecosystem. Few ecological studies have been carried out on the species, but the black caiman has its own ecological niche that enables coexistence without too much competition. It is a generalist and apex predator, potentially capable of taking any animal within its range, including other predators. The black caiman is the largest predator in the Amazon ecosystem, preying on a variety of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This enables them to see and breathe while the rest of their bodies are underwater. They have thick, scaled skin, and their eyes and noses are located on the tops of their heads. Like all crocodile-like animals, caimans are long, squat creatures, with big jaws, long tails and short legs. The head is large and heavy, an advantage in catching larger prey. The morphology is quite different from other caimans but the bony ridge that occurs in other caimans is present. Juveniles have a more vibrant coloration compared to adults with prominent white to pale yellow banding on the flanks that remains present well into adulthood, at least more when compared to other species. It has grey to brown banding on the lower jaw. In some individuals, the dark coloration can appear almost black. As its common and scientific names imply, the black caiman has a dark coloration as an adult. It is a large species, growing to at least 5 m (16 ft) and possibly up to 6 m (20 ft) in length, which makes it the third largest reptile in the Neotropical realm, behind the American crocodile, and the Orinoco crocodile. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers, lakes, seasonally flooded savannas of the Amazon basin, and in other freshwater habitats of South America. The black caiman ( Melanosuchus niger) is a species of large crocodilian and, along with the American alligator, is one of the largest extant members of the family Alligatoridae and order Crocodilia.
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